Workers Action Centrehttp://www.workersactioncentre.org
Organizing for Fair EmploymentTue, 26 Sep 2017 15:47:48 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.7Workers still stuck in Temp Nationhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WorkersActionCentre/~3/Xb7Fi445LaE/
Tue, 26 Sep 2017 15:05:08 +0000http://www.workersactioncentre.org/?p=7447A recent Toronto Star exposé about the ordeals of temp workers gained a lot of attention in the media this month. Reporter Sara Mojtehedzadeh went undercover at Fiera Foods, a commercial bakery in Toronto that hires exclusively through a temporary agency. Three temp workers have died at Fiera Foods or its associated facilities since 1999. In September 2016, Amina Diaby, who had worked there only two weeks, died when her hijab was caught in machinery. Quickly following the release of the story, Fiera Foods was fined $300,000 for the workplace violation that led to Diaby’s death.

But the story doesn’t end there. The violations exposed at Fiera are both tragic and typical in our province. “Temp Nation” extends far beyond just one bakery and we cannot be satisfied to expose one bad employer at a time. Too many workers will be injured or killed as we tip toe in the direction of decent work. Temp workers need changes now! Our current labour laws allow appallingly unsafe and unfair work conditions to exist for thousands of vulnerable temp agency workers across Ontario. We are depending on the Ontario government to make amendments to Bill 148 that directly address the many hazards faced by temp agency workers.

Temp workers deal with a lack of safety training, unpredictable scheduling, being paid less for doing the same work as permanent workers, or not being paid at all. Health and safety risks could be significantly lowered if client companies were made jointly liable with temp agencies for workplace injuries. Last-minute scheduling and denying hours to workers that assert their rights could be addressed through Bill 148. The Fight for $15 & Fairness campaign has been calling for 2 weeks advance scheduling, but Bill 148 offers the lesser provision of 3 hours pay if a shift is cancelled with less than 48 hours notice. We are working hard to ensure employers cannot use any loopholes to avoid their scheduling responsibilities.

Equal pay is another part of Bill 148 we need to ensure has strong language and no loopholes if we are to make meaningful improvements for workers. Unless the language is changed to say “equal pay for comparable work,” there is transparency around wages, and the definition of seniority is amended to account for part-time and temp workers who have worked at a company for years, then workers will not be able to use this new protection against unfairness.

Bill 148 needs more effective and stronger provisions for temp agency workers. The Ontario government must eliminate the incentives for companies to hire large numbers of temp workers at a lower rate of pay, to require them to do the riskiest tasks, and to keep them “temporary” for years on end. Temp workers should make up a maximum of 20% of a company’s workforce. Fiera is not the only company that hires exclusively through a temp agency. To ensure that temp work stays temporary, client companies need to convert a temp agency worker to a permanent worker after 3 months at the job and not just hire a revolving door of workers. All barriers preventing temp workers from being hired permanently must be removed.

Help us push for changes by reminding the Ontario government of their commitment to decent work. In a Toronto Star article, Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn says the government wants to “get right to where the issue is… take away the incentive to use temporary help agencies, to stop the flourishing of this business.” Let’s hold our elected officials to their word: write to our Members of Provincial Parliament and send emails to Premiere Wynne. We can also include our voices in the media debate around labour law reform, and let the public know that the conditions temp workers endure are not acceptable. Write a letter to the editor and let your communities know how urgently Ontario needs a strong Bill 148 to be made law in 2017. With every one of us getting involved and joining our voices in the call for decent work, we can win fair scheduling, equal pay, and more.

]]>http://www.workersactioncentre.org/updates/workers-still-stuck-in-temp-nation/Restaurant workers stand up for fairnesshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WorkersActionCentre/~3/Dfo3xOl7xJY/
Mon, 11 Sep 2017 16:31:27 +0000http://www.workersactioncentre.org/?p=7437Workers have been fed up with unfair and unsafe working conditions for decades. Now, with the hope of labour law reforms and minimum wage increases proposed in Bill 148, many in our communities are breathing sighs of relief. However, organizers at the Workers’ Action Centre and in the Fight for $15 and Fairness are reminding everyone that Bill 148 is not yet a done deal. Precarious workers and our allies must continue to speak up and take action to get the fair workplaces we deserve.

Just last month, restaurant workers made media headlines as they spoke out about poor working conditions and labour law violations in several well-known eateries. Workers at Poutini’s, a Toronto poutine restaurant, walked off the job for various reasons, including unfair scheduling, wages paid late, and unsafe working conditions. A Metro News article explains that Bill 148 could begin to solve the typical problems that restaurant workers face. A few days later, workers at the popular Chef Susur Lee’s restaurants took to social media to call out their employer for violations. According to a CBC News article, Susur Lee’s eateries used the illegal practice of deducting money from workers’ wages for common mistakes such as “Spilling a drink, sending the wrong drink to a table or punching in an incorrect order with the kitchen.” The restaurants quickly stopped this practice when workers began speaking out, which goes to show there is power in workers speaking up and standing up for their rights.

Restaurant and hospitality workers also face unpaid wages, unfair tip calculations, and no overtime or public holiday pay. You might be a restaurant worker or have family and friends facing these issues at work. It’s hard to speak up against violations when it can threaten your ability to pay the rent. While we push for a stronger Bill 148 to be made law, you can still take steps to protect yourself by knowing your current rights at work. You should get overtime pay after working 44 hours in a week. Even with signed consent from you, the worker, your boss cannot make a deduction from your wages for a mistake you have made, for a cash shortage in the till, or for the customer’s failure to pay. Check out these links for more information: Tips and other gratuities and Right to refuse or to stop work where health and safety are in danger. Call the Workers’ Action Centre hotline at 416-531-0778 if you have any questions or need some support.

Today, the Ontario legislature reconvenes and we expect Bill 148 to soon continue along the process of officially becoming law. Bill 148 will bring changes to lessen unfair scheduling such as the ability to request a schedule or location change without being fired, compensation for 3 hours of work if your shift is cancelled within 48 hours, and the right to refuse a shift if you have been given less than 96 hours notice. The proposed laws also include 2 paid personal emergency leave days. It’s just common sense that workers need paid sick days, especially in the restaurant industry where public health conditions should be a top priority!

Get involved in the Fight for $15 and Fairness campaign to make sure this new legislation passes. Visit15andFairness.org and take action. Email Premiere Wynne about the urgent need to strengthen and pass Bill 148. Let’s all speak up and make a change!

]]>http://www.workersactioncentre.org/updates/restaurant-workers-stand-up-for-fairness/What’s at stake with Ontario’s labour lawshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WorkersActionCentre/~3/ovb1yPK24wI/
Mon, 21 Aug 2017 22:00:42 +0000http://www.workersactioncentre.org/?p=7406Our decent work movement is going strong as the Government Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs began a review of Bill 148: the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act today. Just yesterday, we read the Toronto Star’s editorial in support of a $15 minimum wage, which reflects the growing support for our demands to make workplaces decent. We also saw this during July’s 10 days of public hearings across Ontario, where the $15 & Fairness Campaign had a strong showing every step of the way. Many workers, community groups, university and college teachers, unions, doctors and small business owners deputed and spoke up in favor of the proposed legislation. Hundreds more sent in letters calling on the government to make Bill 148 stronger. We hope all of this support will make sure the Standing Committee members do not weaken the bill as they review amendments this week. Our communities expect all our elected officials to be decent work champions and deliver the strongest possible labour law reform before the end of 2017.

While Bill 148 is about labour laws, we know its impact extends far beyond workers and employers. Labour law reform is about making life more livable for everyone in our communities. When we take a look at who our allies are in the campaign for $15 and Fairness, we see just how cross-cutting the issue of work really is. A diverse group of over 200 faith leaders are increasingly speaking up because they witness in their own communities the daily struggles of low wage workers and their families facing poverty. In a public statement, they say, “We know that decent working conditions are essential to strong and prosperous communities, and are distressed that Ontario’s current labour laws do not protect workers from poverty.” In the coming weeks, faith leaders will be delivering sermons on the issue of $15 minimum wage, collecting petitions at their places of worship and joining with other campaign supporters to do outreach at high holidays such as Eid Al Adha & Bandi Chhor. Are you a faith leader interested in participating? Please email info@15andfairness.org to learn more, including information about upcoming multi-faith organizing meetings.

We need to keep mobilizing more than ever as there is a long parliamentary process ahead of us before the bill is passed. After the Ontario legislature reconvenes on September 11, Bill 148 will be sent to Second Reading. Then after Second Reading, Bill 148 will be sent back to the government committee for more amendments. We are hoping this will be short and swift as the bill will then need to go through Third Reading and Royal Assent. Since the government just completed a two-year review of Ontario’s labour laws, we see no real reason to drag out this process, and delay the necessary protections and wage increases workers across the province urgently need. This is why we must speak out, and keep on calling for $15 & Fairness now. With a provincial election set for June 2018, it is vital that we get this legislation adopted before the end of this calendar year.

You have most likely seen the corporate attack on Bill 148 that is making headlines. This pushback could have the effect of slowing the process down or weakening the bill. We can’t allow that to happen. Even though the big business lobby keeps repeating myths on the minimum wage and using scare tactics, we are seeing more workers (and small businesses) speaking up in favor of a $15 minimum wage than ever before. We must all raise our voices right now, and instill confidence in our communities to contact their Members of Provincial Parliament to say how vital Bill 148 is to them and to the future of Ontario. To learn more about what is in Bill 148, check out this short video. Then help us spread the word by sharing this video with your friends and co-workers, and sending a letter to your local newspaper in favor of $15 & Fairness.

]]>http://www.workersactioncentre.org/updates/whats-at-stake-with-ontarios-labour-laws/Let’s defend and strengthen Bill 148 – Submission deadlinehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WorkersActionCentre/~3/3ifJdQid0gw/
Tue, 04 Jul 2017 15:02:54 +0000http://www.workersactioncentre.org/?p=7367After years of organizing, and most recently through the $15 & Fairness Campaign, we’ve succeeded in bringing important labour law changes to the table. Titled Bill 148 – Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, this proposed legislation aims to raise the minimum wage to $15, ensure equal pay for equal work for part-time, temporary and contract workers, introduce fair scheduling measures, and more. But, we need your help to make sure it passes with the strongest possible amendments.

The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs is reviewing Bill 148 over the summer andis accepting submissions about the Bill until 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 21, 2017. Together with Parkdale Community Legal Services and the $15 & Fairness Campaign, we have prepared a detailed submission, which you can download by clicking here. We’ve also drafted a sample letter that your organization or network can use to endorse our proposed amendments to Bill 148.

Since the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act was first announced, there has been a large backlash by the big business lobby. These corporate interest groups are campaigning against any form of labour law reform, and will be flooding the Committee with submissions that aim to stop or weaken Bill 148. We need you to stand with us to get these important changes for our communities. We need your support to ensure Bill 148 gets strengthened and is passed.

Luckily, the broader public is with us! Just last week, 53 prominent economists from across Canada issued an open letter in support of a $15 minimum wage (see their op-ed in the Globe & Mail). Let’s make sure that this support for decent work is also visible to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Please submit our sample letter to the Committee by July 21, and endorse the amendments we’ve outlined in our submission. If you can copy info@15andfairness.org in your correspondence, that would be of great help. If you need any assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.

]]>http://www.workersactioncentre.org/updates/lets-defend-and-strengthen-bill-148-submission-deadline/Victory — a $15 minimum wage and more!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WorkersActionCentre/~3/tcD6rPTS8WE/
Thu, 01 Jun 2017 18:33:36 +0000http://www.workersactioncentre.org/?p=7294We believed that we would win, and now we are seeing workplace standards rising! The Ontario government just announced its plan to raise the minimum wage to $14 on January 1, 2018 and then to $15 on January 1, 2019. This overdue increase, along with some improvements to our labour laws, will be a direct result of the incredible organizing efforts of workers, organizers, and our allies. Thank you and congratulations to everyone who has supported the Workers’ Action Centre and our dedicated membership.

Although every demand of $15 and Fairness has not yet been addressed, the proposed legislation proves that we have gained much ground. Here is a summary of the key changes mentioned in Premiere Wynne’s “Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs” plan. (For more details, click here.)

The general minimum wage goes up to $15 within 18 months. The minimum wages of students and liquor servers will rise by the same percentage (32%), but will still remain under $15.

Temp agency workers will receive equal pay from day one of their assignment.

To ensure fairer scheduling, employers who cancel shifts with less than 48 hours notice will have to pay workers 3 hours’ wages.

10 emergency leave days will now be extended to all workers, and 2 of those days will be paid. Workers will not be expected to pay for doctor’s notes to access their emergency leave.

1 extra week of paid vacation after staying at the same job for 5 years.

Contract service workers will have protection against contract flipping in the building services sector and publicly-funded institutions.

There will be an important extension in card-based certification for union organizing for temp agency workers, the building services sector, homecare and community services.

Other measures will be put in place to make it easier for workers to join unions.

150 more employment standards officers will be hired to help enforce labour laws.

As Premiere Wynne spoke at the May 30th press conference, it became clear that the government has taken on our mandate of “fairness.” However, their legislation is still missing some elements. After the long and involved process of completing the Changing Workplaces Review, it would be a shame if obvious loopholes were left in place for bad employers to leap through. Make sure to call your MPPs and tell them which changes you appreciate as well as what can be improved. To understand the implications of the new legislation, read the $15 and Fairness analysis of the May 30 announcement.

Already, there is a forceful pushback from employers who don’t like to be told what to do. Many employers claim to have good practices, such as fair scheduling, yet they say this approach of making new laws is “adversarial.” But if employers currently have good workplace conditions, then these new laws would simply validate their fair practices and force competing businesses to also raise their standards. Meanwhile, the voices of employers who understand the value of labour and the need to invest in good workplace conditions are largely being silenced in the media. You can help fight the negative backlash by writing letters-to-the-editor in support of this proposed legislation.

As we congratulate everyone on this momentous achievement, we also ask you to continue having conversations about $15 and Fairness. Speak with your co-workers, family and friends about how better standards at work will benefit our communities and local economies. Let’s make our win as big as it can be!

]]>http://www.workersactioncentre.org/updates/victory-a-15-minimum-wage-and-more/Will the Government take action on $15 and Fairness?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WorkersActionCentre/~3/kLWf93VFeOU/
Thu, 18 May 2017 18:04:06 +0000http://www.workersactioncentre.org/?p=7284Liberal cabinet members met this week to discuss whether some critical $15 and Fairness demands will be turned into law. It was a discussion that would never have taken place without the many years of organizing done by the Workers’ Action Centre and our many allies. For WAC members who have been exploited at one precarious job after another, the Ontario government’s serious consideration of improved labour laws has been a long time coming.

Bad jobs with low wages come at a high cost to everyone involved. The effects on precarious workers are plain to see. Workers deal with stolen wages in many forms, including unpaid wages and, of course, a minimum wage that keeps us living well below the poverty line. We are also paying a high price in the quality of our lives. Too many have to work multiple jobs just to cover basic expenses such as housing, transportation and childcare. WAC member Erendira explained this anxiety in a recent CTV News article: “At the moment I have nothing permanent in my life because I don’t know how much money I will make in the next month and how much I will be paid.”

Erendira holds a list of demands for her MPP.Click here to share this photo on Facebook.

Some corporations and lobby groups are still in denial about the growth of precarious work and resulting poverty. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has shown itself to be out of touch with the workers in this province by denying the devastating impact of increasing contract and temp agency work, and are pushing not to change our labour laws but to keep things the same. Our communities are not fooled. In fact, a growing number of businesses are seeing the side effects of bad working conditions on their bottom line.

Earlier this month, CBC News exposed just how much the unfair practice of contract flipping costs both businesses and workers alike. At Toronto’s Pearson Airport where company contracts expire every few years, businesses try to stay “competitive” by offering race-to-the-bottom wages and working conditions. The result? Companies report seeing turnover rates as high as 160%. Baggage handling company Swissport Canada, for example, loses $3,500 each time a worker quits. Meanwhile, these companies end up being short on staff, meaning workers are expected to work long hours, which takes a real toll on their health. Swissport Canada came out in support of a $15 minimum wage!

People and organizations across Ontario have been calling their Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) this week to drive home just how important each $15 and Fairness demand is. At the Workers’ Action Centre, we mobilized our members to call their MPPs, and to get their friends, family, and coworkers to call as well. With the voices in favour of decent work growing louder in Ontario, we are confident our elected officials will do the right thing. If you haven’t done so yet, make sure you call your MPP today. Each phone call and letter counts as we speak up for better labour laws. At this crucial moment, we can’t afford to be silent!

]]>http://www.workersactioncentre.org/updates/will-the-government-take-action-on-15-and-fairness/70% of voters in Toronto support a $15 minimum wagehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WorkersActionCentre/~3/B5lleNMZaPM/
Fri, 21 Apr 2017 15:05:39 +0000http://www.workersactioncentre.org/?p=7261A new Forum Research Poll that made headlines last week showed that 70% of voters in Toronto support a $15 minimum wage. These numbers are in line with another Poll released last year showing that two-thirds of Canadians wanted to see a $15 minimum wage. So far, the Federal New Democrat Party, the Ontario New Democrat Party, the Green Party, and Quebec Solidaire have all thrown their support behind a $15 minimum wage. Will the Ontario Liberal Party get on board?

Workers in Ontario have been loud and clear about what we need to make ends meet. In the beginning, some naysayers said $15 was unreasonable, and that we should just stop asking. Critics voiced the false idea that a higher minimum wage would harm the economy, particularly small businesses. Yet we knew that more money in low-wage workers’ pockets would bring a big boost to the economy and create more jobs in our communities. Now, business leaders themselves are speaking up on the economic benefits for paying workers a decent wage.

With so many wins taking place in the fight for $15, it proves that it’s worth the effort to push for necessary change. Last spring, New York and California signed minimum wage hikes into law, promising $15 an hour to 10 million workers. A total of 19 million US workers are benefiting from raised minimum wages. With $61.5 billion dollars in raises so far, low-wage workers are now able to participate in the economy in a more dignified way. In the meantime, the evidence coming from Seattle where a $15 minimum wage is being phased in shows that a fair minimum wage not only directly helps workers and businesses, but can also lower unemployment numbers.

Nobody benefits from poverty wages, so why do we allow them in Ontario? The current minimum wage of $11.40 leaves workers more than 16% below the poverty line, even when they are lucky enough to find full-time hours. Last October, thousands of workers gathered at Queen’s Park to call for a $15 minimum wage and fair working conditions. This happened on the same day Alberta started phasing in $15, which they’ll have in place in 2018. Now it is Ontario Premiere Kathleen Wynne’s turn to do the same.

A recent CBC News story suggests that many Liberal MPPs are leaning toward supporting a $15 minimum wage as part of their 2018 election platform. They haven’t made an official commitment yet, but, if the Liberals want to get elected, they will support $15 and Fairness. This is not only the right thing to do, but it is also what Ontarians want. We need to keep organizing to demonstrate this growing support to every elected official in this province! We can’t give up.

]]>http://www.workersactioncentre.org/updates/70-of-voters-in-toronto-support-a-15-minimum-wage/Repeat violators of labour law caught yet againhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WorkersActionCentre/~3/TwaK7WcEWBU/
Fri, 27 Jan 2017 23:45:06 +0000http://www.workersactioncentre.org/?p=7255What is the cost of violating our basic labour laws for Ontario businesses? Well, the Inspection Blitz Report released today by the Ministry of Labour shows that the cost is pretty insignificant – of 77 repeat offenders, only 27 employers were given a ticket (starting at $250) for their offence. When employers face no real cost for unpaid overtime, vacation and public holiday pay, it sends a green light to them to keep on ignoring the law.

Today’s report documents a Repeat Violator Inspection Blitz conducted last fall by the Labour Ministry focusing on employers that had previously been found in violation of the law. The blitz revealed that over 74% of these businesses still continued breaking the law.

These numbers provide further evidence for the urgent need for effective strategies to make sure that workers’ rights are enforced. Employers should face mandatory penalties and consequences when they do not follow basic employment law. Repeat violators are clearly not hearing the message by the Ministry of Labour so more targeted prosecutions are needed. Similarly, the damages and interest on wages owed should be paid to the worker who has suffered.

The ongoing review of our employment standards and labour laws through the Changing Workplaces Review presents a very important opportunity to close this gap. As we included in our response to the Special Advisors’ Interim Report, Building Decent Jobs from the Ground Up, we strongly recommend a deterrence model of enforcement that prevent illegal activities from taking place. This can include mandatory fines, prosecutions as well as suspension of governmental licences to secure compliance.

The cost of allowing employers to continue violating the law is too high. Businesses that follow the law face unfair competition by those that don’t. The high rate of repeat violations tells us that the employers detected through inspection blitzs are just the tip of the iceberg. Since 2009, more than one-third of stolen wages in the province have not been collected at all; that’s about $28 million in workers unpaid wages.

With the Special Advisors currently writing their final recommendations to the Ontario Government, we believe now is the time to put an end to wage theft and repeat violations of law. We need strong laws and strong enforcement measures!

]]>http://www.workersactioncentre.org/updates/repeat-violators-of-labour-law-caught-yet-again/Share the $15 & Fairness Faith Statementhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WorkersActionCentre/~3/MW-GmRIh94Q/
Thu, 22 Dec 2016 15:35:53 +0000http://www.workersactioncentre.org/?p=72312016 has been full of effective organizing in communities across Ontario. The many groups that make up $15 and Fairness have only gotten stronger in the fight for decent work. Health providers, migrant workers, students, unions and more continue to speak up for a $15 minimum wage, paid sick days, and improved, updated labour laws. The faith community also joined our fight against precarious work this year by releasing a statement calling for a $15 minimum wage and fair working conditions.

The faith community has proven to be an important part of our decent work movement. In October 2016, ISARC held an interfaith prayer vigil for decent work at Queen’s Park. They called on faith leaders to sign the statement in support of a $15 minimum wage and fair labour laws.

Since then, faith leaders have been busy spreading awareness and doing outreach. In time for High Holidays, Rabbis published an opinion piece in the Toronto Star calling for $15 and Fairness. The piece outlined the need for emergency leave, paid sick days and fair scheduling.

Just last week, the Muslim Workers Network went door-knocking in Regent Park, and collected signatures on $15 and Fairness postcards addressed to the local MPP, Glen Murray. Their next canvasses are set for Sunday January 22nd in Thorncliffe Park, and Saturday February 18th in Rexdale. Make sure to join their Facebook group to get involved.

All of this outreach is paying off. There are now 110 signatures on the Faith Statement, and we are confident we will have hundreds more with your help. In spring 2017, $15 and Fairness plans to publicly present the Faith Statement and its signatories. To make it a truly inspiring and impactful event, we need your help securing as many signatures as possible. Help $15 and Fairness grow and prosper in the New Year by activating your own faith community today. Please share the statement with your faith networks now and as you celebrate the beginning of 2017. Faith leaders can add their namesonline or sign a two-page printable version that can be scanned and emailed to info@15andfairness.org, or mailed to $15 and Fairness at 720 Spadina Avenue, Suite 206, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2T9.

Stay tuned for further information, and follow our Facebook & Twitter accounts for more regular updates.

]]>http://www.workersactioncentre.org/updates/wage-theft/share-the-15-fairness-faith-statement/Wishing for $15 & Fairness this holiday seasonhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WorkersActionCentre/~3/tI_oPHkOXeA/
Mon, 28 Nov 2016 15:27:48 +0000http://www.workersactioncentre.org/?p=7212During the holidays, we all want to kick back and relax. Unfortunately, for workers like WAC member Gabriel, instead of resting with his family, he is having to fight against wage theft. Constantly having to call and visit his employer to get the wages he is owed has become like a second job for Gabriel. With little enforcement of our labour laws by the Ministry of Labour, the stress of making sure employers respect our rights rests squarely on our shoulders.

In his 10 years as a painter, Gabriel gained a lot of experience in his trade as well as in dealing with bad bosses. Receiving payment for his work, on time and fully, is one thing Gabriel can never rely on. Every time he looks for work, employers claim they need to see “how well he paints” before agreeing on his wages. That might mean he’ll have to put in days, sometimes weeks of work without knowing what his wages will be. Still Gabriel continues painting because he needs to survive.

He has found that the closer he is to finishing an assignment, the more difficult it gets to negotiate a fair rate of pay. Even when employers agree to a certain wage, they end up not paying fully. If Gabriel speaks up, he then gets punished for it. He has been fired at least four different times for asserting his rights.

In 2015 when Gabriel wasn’t paid for his work, the Workers’ Action Centre intervened and the employer paid up. Earlier this year, yet another employer stole his wages. Adding insult to injury, the contractor threatened to call the police if Gabriel visited the job site again to ask for his pay cheque. Workers’ Action Centre helped Gabriel file a claim with the Ministry of Labour for more than $1200 in unpaid wages in April and we are still waiting for the money.

Too many workers are experiencing wage theft, reprisals and lack of enforcement of labour laws. It is unacceptable how common these violations have become. Join us at the December 3rd holiday action for $15 & Fairness at 1:00 pm by the south east corner of Yonge and Dundas. All workers, from construction sites to factories to farms, deserve decent work! Can’t make it on December 3 or not in Toronto? Take the Decent Work Sing-Along Challenge to show your support.Click here to watch WAC leaders singing “Joy to the workers”, and learn about how you too can participate.